Yahoo Hires Katie Couric to Anchor News Videos

Yahoo (YHOO) CEO Marissa Mayer said the Internet giant hired former CBS (CBS) news anchor Katie Couric, as Yahoo continues to focus on building a larger presence in online media.

Couric will join Yahoo early next year as its global anchor, starring in video features on the homepage, Mayer said in a blog post on Monday. Couric will also lead the company’s team of news correspondents.

Mayer noted that Couric will continue to host her syndicated daytime talk show on ABC, “Katie.”

However, several news reports indicated that Couric’s ABC show will likely be cancelled after its current season.

Since taking over the company in the summer of 2012, Mayer has actively looked to expand Yahoo’s footprint in online news and mobile applications.

Yahoo made headlines earlier this year when it agreed to buy blog service Tumblr for $1.1 billion. The company has also acquired several mobile startups and upgraded its various apps for devices like Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone.

Shares of Yahoo were down 19 cents at $36.30 in early afternoon trading.